PM Skerrit says gov’t taking Hurricane Irma seriously

Skerrit at a NEPO meeting on Monday

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said the government is taking Hurricane Irma seriously and is urging the public to take precautionary measures as it approaches the Leeward Islands and the northern Windward Islands.

Dominica is now under a Tropical Storm Watch, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 24-36 hours.

“We do not know what this weather system is going to do to our country and therefore the action which we have and which we can take, we should take them,” he said while speaking on Kairi’s Heng Programme on Monday. “We should take precautionary measures. Government is taking this storm very seriously.”

According to Skerrit, the public knows better than everybody else in the world that “we cannot afford any damage to our country.”

“We cannot afford $10 damage caused by a storm,” he remarked.

Skerrit stated further that the government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in response to Tropical Storm Erika which devastated the country two years ago and therefore, “what we can do to mitigate against a potential storm, we need to take action.”

“I do not want us to go and say well it’s going further north and is away from Dominica, the storm can move directions within half an hour, within an hour, within half a day, within a day and therefore we need to prepare and prepare properly,” he noted.

He encouraged the public to listen to the radio and television to receive formal official updates from the Office of Disaster Management.

 

At a meeting of the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO) on Monday, September 4th at the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in Jimmit, he said action has to be taken at all levels.

“We have to take the actions that we want to take at all levels, because I can say to you, as the Prime Minister of this country, I am not taking this storm lightly at all. So we have to prepare for the worst, if the nothing happens to us then we go on our knees and thank God for that,” he said.

He added that although there will be a high level of anxiety, he prefers for this anxiety to not cause paralysis and prevent the people from taking the actions which must be taken.

Considering the uncertainty of the inclement weather, the Prime Minister stated that it is better to be prepared early enough so that when certain issues arise, provisions would have already been made to mitigate the situations.

“In the event that something were to visit us, we would be in a situation to minimize its impact … but at least the drains would have been cleared, the bridges would have cleared, we would have minimized on the hazards around our homes and around our properties so that we minimize on the damage,” he stated.

Skerrit said he is generally satisfied with the state of preparedness so far by NEPO, however, there are few things that must be tweaked to enhance efficiency.

“There are some things that we need to follow up on and there are various meetings this morning going into the afternoon to go over some of the actions and to ensure that, from a NEPO standpoint, all of the actions that we can humanly take are taken, or things that have to be put in place are put in place,” he stated.

 

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29 Comments

  1. concern citizen
    September 6, 2017

    Dominicans are worse than SKERRIT:
    I don’t blame skerrit for the state of Dominica, I blame my fellow Dominicans, they must stop supporting all the EVIL Sacrifices that are taking place in this country
    How can we be a CHRISTIAN nation and supporting EVIL sacrifices, what hurts me more the people know about it but they are keeping it a secret
    SKERRIT is worse than Hurricane David of 1979, worst than TS. Storm Erika of 2015 worst than monster Hurricane Irma of 2017, but I don’t blame him poor guy, I blame hypocrite Evangelise and their followers, for it’s only a matter of time, PROVERBS 15 :3 tells us that : the EYES of the LORD are in every place beholding the EVIL and the GOOD

  2. David Fagan
    September 5, 2017

    People of my ancestral home, I am with you in spirit. Please be safe…

  3. Man bites Dogs
    September 5, 2017

    All my life I have never came across so many abnormal and stupid people that call themselves workers supporters this are the nasties and lowest of the low at a time when Dr.Pm Skerrit, is doing all he can to protect us Dominicans, and their families, some of you so-called Workers supporters don’t worth a tobacco spit bucket.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      September 6, 2017

      “workers supporters this are the nasties and lowest of the low at a time when Dr.Pm Skerrit, “(Man Dag).

      Dear Mr. Dog, or Mr. Man Eat Raw Dog Meat!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

      Whatever your name, I do not believe there is a word as “nasties.” I think you wish you could have spelt the word “nastiest.” At least UWP people know how to spell and write. I want your opinion on this: I hear dem say de older that boy Dr. Punjab Roosevelt Skerrit get, is the more him look like dam Douglas boys; trouble is which one?

      Gee me you opinion pan dat!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      I Francisco using me mooma name eh. Me name Francisco Dods or perhaps Dodds, since me nu know me puppa eh!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      Me puppa disown me eh!

      Me know but me doh talking eh!

  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    September 5, 2017

    Roosevelt who in Dominica would be that ignorant not to take a hurricane seriously?

    Only idiots would be happy to learn of what appears to be an approaching storm, in your case you are happy, because you are thinking; “let it come, brake up de place eh so we can get some free money, when we scream:”

    Hhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllpppppppppppppppp!

    Yes, that is you hope and wish help will come in the form handout money!

  5. Let The Truth Be Known
    September 4, 2017

    Threat of a hurricane is no joke but to be taken seriously. Yes! Dominicans know this too well.
    These hurricanes have a way of making a turn to where they were not intended in the first place. In recent years Dominica has experienced that and also Barbados. Fervent prayers are necessary.
    Let us pray that Irma bypasses Dominica and steers far from it. May it also not strike the other Windward islands and Lesser Antilles and not in a bad way.
    Lord, please put a hand, in Jesus Name I pray.

  6. September 4, 2017

    A stitch in time saves lifes, A word to wise is enough
    Experience is the better teacher. God is the great Equalizer.

    • Me
      September 5, 2017

      Where did you find all these soundbites and platitudes? Amazing.! Try something original next time.

  7. Roger Burnett
    September 4, 2017

    I hope that one of the things “that must be tweaked” is the dangerous state of the scaffold that surrounds the Post Office building.

    On the 23rd May I wrote to the PS Public Works as follows:

    I wish to bring to your attention the dangerous state of scaffolding that surrounds the Post Office building. Outside of the Third World the scaffolding would have been condemned as unsafe, both for those working from it and for the public passing within the vicinity – not to mention its proximity to a busy ferry terminal.

    From the corroded state of the scaffold, I suspect that it has been constructed from components condemned elsewhere. The whole assembly is flawed and could not possibly meet any known standard. Furthermore, it beggars belief that planks have been left precariously balanced: a danger at any time but all the more so with the approach the hurricane season.

    Photographs were included.

    I also alerted Health & Safety but no acknowledgement or response from either.

    • Titiwi
      September 5, 2017

      Roger, don’t fret my friend. This is a novel idea to enhance our tourism appeal. Rather unique, don’t you think so? It hits one smack in the eye upon arrival. Perhaps we could organize adventure tours in the building with skeletal rustclimbing thrown in for adrenaline junkies. I bet no other Caribbean destination has an eye-catching attraction like this!

      • Roger Burnett
        September 6, 2017

        Titiwi, although this item will be off the page before my response shows up, let me say brilliant! Sorry that I was so naive not to realize the master plan.

        It nicely ties in with my idea of turning Antrim into a Caribbean Jurassic Theme Park. For a modest fee, tourists can sit on my balcony and watch the earth move, just as it did billions of year ago.

  8. September 4, 2017

    PM, this means a lot. This level of support is absolutely necessary. I was very happy to hear that all of your ministers joined you at the ODM this morning. We have a committed government, very on point! God speed to us all!

  9. Dear Skerrit et Al
    September 4, 2017

    hey gacon you looking more like a Douglas each day. Money go’s daughter was ur mom it’s said who work for the Douglas’s in Possee. Never heard U talk about Dad Skerrit.
    LeBron James ‘s dad never took him to MCDonalds as a kid never checked him ever heard him mentioned his dad> if his dad had played a part in his life now his dad would be watching him courtside having beef cuts and champayne court side. Where is Mr. skerrit Sr. never ,never mentin but u got Rosie ‘s smile they say
    surprided u are on island. was that a recording or were u live?

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      September 5, 2017

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      Doh say I say oui!

      I know but I doh talking eh!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      I know eh, but I doh talking eh, they can tie me behind fifty wild horses, to drag me from Los Angeles, to the mud in Wesley where I am born; I boy rather get killed by wild horses dragging me: but, ah still doh talking eh!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

  10. My opinion
    September 4, 2017

    Skerrit with this big smile on his face must be asking for Irma to do some havoc so he could have yet another storm to blame for his government’s inability to build bridges and create employment. Forget about his last minute rush; the man knows he has failed to deliver and his island wide giving of money to win the trust of the people is not working so his best bet is to hope for a storm to bail him out so he could be seen as a hero. Go and see his evil workers busy dancing around the cemeteries while we sleep

    • concern citizen
      September 6, 2017

      Thank you my opinion,
      This is exactly what it is you’ve said it well, I support that %100+ Dominicans are two evil and calling them selves Christian

    • Anonymous
      September 6, 2017

      Well Douglas is a Scottish name, Skerrit an Irish one. Celtic blood alright.

  11. Dear Skerrit et Al
    September 4, 2017

    In Iraq the soldiers dropped their guns and surrendered when Isis came in to town. Skerrit and all the green card holders will fly out if DA is destroyed talking about DA cannot with stand$10 damage lol U have 100’s of millions.

    • Dear Skerrit et Al
      September 6, 2017

      Hi Papa noel he ggot ur wish DA was spared by Irma she is a good storm to DA she continue to raise foster Kids. Skerro DA did not suffer $10.00 in damages so you are clear Like Teflon nothing sticks on you. But so much for skerrit’s luck Da needs U to get out of the way. You could have gone with Irma’s winds we would be good without You.

  12. Floridian Diaspora
    September 4, 2017

    Does this monster take Dominica seriously?

  13. September 4, 2017

    Dominicans let us pray.

  14. September 4, 2017

    Good luck to my fellow Dominicans back home! I’m hoping this one gives us a break.

  15. September 4, 2017

    As we all should! Thank you PM, for the continued support. You are truly a wise and competent leader. I wish Dominicans all the best as we await these predicted storm conditions, but I am praying that we will be left untouched by Irma. To the Antiguans and everyone up north, ensure that you take the necessary precautionary measures as this terrible hurricane approaches. Be safe and God bless!

  16. Clueless!
    September 4, 2017

    Bondiay! We have to pray Dominicans. Keep praying too even when all is well.

  17. John_Locke
    September 4, 2017

    Roosevelt Skerrit, you’re a fraudster! where the hell were you? Where did you take your corrupt ass to. You owe a detail explanation to the people of Dominica.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      September 5, 2017

      :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  18. MI
    September 4, 2017

    but but y linton saying d man not der na

  19. Agent Orange
    September 4, 2017

    Honestly speaking I don’t take anything this man called Roosevelt Skerrit says seriously. The man is worse than Trump, and I don’t believe he is mentally fit for his job. Furthermore, he should never talk about Erika because when Erika was killing us the man Roosevelt Skerrit was on his way from Macau, where he had fun eating, drinking, and signing documents with NG Lap Seng, John Ashe, and rest of his gang who were all arrested by the FBI. A day before Irma he runs back home from wherever he was and whatever he signed, or whomever he may have delivered passport to, is still a deep secret. So I pay this man absolutely NO mind

  20. Anonymous
    September 4, 2017

    Thanks pal, but you are a bit late. There are other professionals that have already taken care of these warnings but your concern is appreciated. Where have you been on government’s business up, to last night? You are paid handsomely to look after our business so why don’t you take us into your confidence nuh? Are we only good enough to vote for you? Don’t take us for granted pal. You are only a little fish in a big pond.

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